The Rush: Rams rock Bears, Saints stun Packers and more Sunday surprises
Sunday’s NFL action did not disappoint. From the Saints and Texans stunning their opponents to the good, bad and ugly from the rookie class … week 1 of the season had a little bit of everything. Sam Darnold got revenge on his old squad, Chandler Jones and the Cardinals crushed the Titans and Matt Stafford looked great in his debut with the Rams. Plus, the best Sunday sporst celebrations came from ... the U.S. Open?
Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
LIZ LOZA: The sports world was insane on Sunday. It was so wild that we don't even have time to talk about the Golden Slam that did happen and the calendar Slam that didn't happen at the US open, or the fact that Max Scherzer threw his 3,000th career strikeout.
- 3,000 for Scherzer!
LIZ LOZA: And had an immaculate inning in the same game.
- I can't talk about it.
LIZ LOZA: Nope, because Sunday was week one of the NFL's season, baby!
- Yes! yes, yes!
LIZ LOZA: Just like Kevin McCallister, the Bears defense forgot to make the trip out of Chicago.
- Leave that field wide, wide, wide open.
LIZ LOZA: Their offense didn't fare much better against the Rams in LA, either. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields got a couple of plays in, including a running touchdown. We love that. He's the future for the Bears, that's for sure. But Fields couldn't outshine Matt Stafford. The veteran QB went 20 of 26 for 321 passing yards and three touchdowns in his Rams debut, leading Los Angeles to a decisive victory.
The first Sunday of the season had a little bit of everything. I don't know about you all, but my crystal ball did not even hint at the ass-whooping the Saints put on the Packers. Jameis Winston threw five touchdown passes, not interceptions.
- He's got a touchdown! Another for Winston!
LIZ LOZA: Making Saints fans ask "uh, Drew who?" and "can I get the name of your LASIK surgeon?"
Rookies were front and center on Sunday. Even a first-year kicker got in the action. The Bengals' Evan McPherson nailed a game-winning field goal in overtime.
- There's the answer, is the rookie Evan McPherson. He's lifted high in the air.
LIZ LOZA: First overall pick Trevor Lawrence, however, was not as clutch. The three touchdowns, one to my favorite fantasy sleeper, Marvin Jones-- well, those were good. But the three interceptions, oh, not so much. This was the first regular season loss of Lawrence's whole life, and it was to the Texans. Ouch.
Sam Darnold made a career move this offseason, when the Jets traded him to the Panthers. In his first game in Carolina, Sam linked up with his former New York teammate Robby Anderson for some sweet revenge.
- Touchdown!
LIZ LOZA: The Falcons finished last season with a five-game losing streak. And then they built upon that streak in week one of this season. Jalen put the hurt on Atlanta, throwing for three touchdowns, one of which was caught by rookie DeVonta Smith.
- Going for the end zone, and it's caught for the touchdown!
LIZ LOZA: In Tennessee, the home team Titans got absolutely trucked by the Arizona Cardinals.
- Wrapped up and taken down from behind! That is number five for Chandler Jones!
LIZ LOZA: Yes! I am digging Chandler Jones's celebration on his fifth sack of the game. But we've got to end the show with Sunday's best celebrations. And they didn't come on the gridiron.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but the US Open saw two epic celebrations, first with Daniil Medvedev after he stole the calendar Slam from Novak Djokovic's hands. This dude could be a stunt man, am I right? After Djokovic sobbed on the bench during the match-- you know what, I don't want to hear about a female athlete's emotions ever again. Got it? Great.
But all the snaps go to Dylan Alcott. The Aussie became the first men's wheelchair tennis player to ever win a Golden Slam. And he celebrated by pouring beer into the championship trophy, Stanley Cup style. And then he chugged it. You go get it!
